change user: not recognized

[polymath5]

Just this morning I was going to install an update that requires me to use the change user /install.

When I tried it, I got an error message saying not a valid NT internal or external command or batch file!!

I had just rebooted the server, it came up fine, no errors in logs.

I tried rebooting the server again, no joy.

I am logged in as Administrator on the server.

I could install the update fine using the control panel add/remove.

The server is running fine, I have 10 users in it right now running happy as clams.

NTTS5sp5 MF1.8sp1 I can't update the sp's because they haven't been certified with a custom vendor application.

The change user command worked last week!

I'm kind of out of ideas on this one.

citrixengineer, any ideas old buddy?

 

[DevilDog]

If you do not mind me jumping in... I'm using this forum to help others as much as I can and also to improve my own knowledge. I'm sure that CitrixEngineer will let me know if the solution I offer is erred in any way - I look forward to his input.
The obvious questions 1st; Is the 'change.exe' executable still in system32? What did you install since the last time this worked? Also, are you running MSNTTS4 or 2K? Help me understand this one - What do you mean by being unable to update the sp's because they haven't been certified with a custom vendor application? -- Devil Dog --

 

[CitrixEngineer]

I'm glad that you and others jump in and stop this forum becoming a one man show, Devil Dog - I get a bit over enthusiastic when it comes to Citr!x related issues Like everyone else, I'm still learning this stuff.

IMO your diagnosis is exactly right - at first glance it looks like the file %systemroot%\System32\change.exe is missing or corrupted.

I've also seen this happen when I've had a touch of keyboard dyslexia - dare I suggest this might be the case? ;-)

I'd suggest re-applying the Service Pack first, then trying to remember what changes you made to the server in the last week or so (you do document all your changes, don't you...?)

CE

 

[polymath5]

Thanks for the help guys.

Thanks DevilDog and CitrixEngineer.
OK, it's NT4. Our agency management software provider has to certify all service packs etc for them to continue support. I'll make sure about the SP level.

The change.exe is in the System32 folder. What I've noticed is that None of the exe files in the folder nbtstat, etc give the same error message when I try to run from the CMD window. But any normal Windows program executes without problem.

I had hoped it was keyboard aixelsyd but nuts, not the case.

I havn't made any changes I'm aware of, I do document them.

What's next? I can't say as I've seen something like this before...

 

[DevilDog]

One other abvious possibility that escaped me yesturday; have you checked your user & system variables like the path directive? What happens when you change your working directory to c:\wtsrv\system32 while in command mode and then execute change? -- Devil Dog --

 

[polymath5]

I got it all sorted out. Just had to change the path to include the system32 folder. I don't know how it got changed from it. But I aim to find out.

Thanks to both of you!

 

[DevilDog]

Just happy to get my hands dirty in somebody elses problem. Sometimes you can't see the trees for the forest. -- Devil Dog --

 

[polymath5]

You sure are right about that. If something like this happened to someone else the first thing I would have told them would have been to check the path. Gotta remember the DOS days!

Thanks again!